Artichokes Lamb And Orzo Avgolemono Recipes

ARTICHOKES, LAMB, AND ORZO AVGOLEMONO

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven or large skillet heat the oil and brown the meat with onion and garlic till onion is tender.
• Drain fat from the meat and return the meat to pan.
• Add 3/4 cup wine or chicken broth, oregano, lemon peel, salt, and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cover.
• Simmer for 20 minutes.
• Add fresh or canned artichokes and simmer 10 minutes more, or till tender.
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan or pasta pot bring 3 quarts water to boiling.
• Add pasta and reduce heat slightly.
• Boil for 5-8 minutes stirring occasionally.
• Immediately drain and return to warm pan; keep warm.
• In a small mixing bowl combine egg, lemon juice, cornstarch, and 1/2 cup warm chicken broth.
• Pour egg mixture into the lamb-artichoke mixture.
• Cook and stir over medium heat for 1 minute, or till thickened and bubbly.
• Cook and stir for 2 minutes more.
• Serve lamb mixture over hot cooked pasta.
• Garnish with parsley (optional).

AVGOLEMONO RICE

Steps:

• Bring 8 cups of water to a rolling boil. Season lightly with salt. Rinse the rice, and pour into boiling water, stirring well to keep grains from clumping. When the water returns to a boil, lower heat a little to a gentle boil, and cook the rice "pasta-style" until just done.
• Drain the rice through a fine-mesh colander, giving it a couple of hearty shakes to remove the last of the water. Immediately spread cooked rice out on a sheet pan lined with parchment to cool quickly. Do not pat down or pack the rice - you want it fluffy and to be able to cool and dry quickly.
• Rinse the peas under cool water briefly to remove any frosty crystals.
• Bring the lamb stock to a simmer.
• In a stainless bowl, whisk egg yolks and lemon juice together until fully incorporated.In a slow steady stream, while constantly whisking, add half the hot lamb stock into the yolks. Then whisk the egg-lemon mixture back into the remaining stock.
• Return the pot to the stove, and simmer (still whisking constantly so as not to cook the egg too fast and too hard), until the avgolemono sauce is full-bodied, approximately the consistency of buttermilk - a minute or 90 seconds more.
• Stir in the scallions, then the peas, and when they both turn bright green, turn off the heat, and stir in the rice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. The rice should be as soupy as risi e bisi and as creamy as risotto.

ARTICHOKE ORZO PILAF

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, saute leek and orzo in oil for 3 minutes or until leek is tender. Add the broth, water and Italian seasoning; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Stir in artichoke hearts and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

GREEK LAMB WITH ORZO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Cut the lamb into 4cm chunks, then spread over the base of a large, wide casserole dish. Add the onions, oregano, cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon and olive oil, then stir well. Bake, uncovered, for 45 mins, stirring halfway.
• Pour over the chopped tomatoes and stock, cover tightly, then return to the oven for 1½ hrs, until the lamb is very tender.
• Remove the cinnamon sticks, then stir in the orzo. Cover again, then cook for a further 20 mins, stirring halfway through. The orzo should be cooked and the sauce thickened. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and serve with crusty bread.

ORZO WITH ARTICHOKES AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Cook orzo in a 4- to 5-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain in a colander.
• While orzo cooks, lightly toast pine nuts in a dry small skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until pale golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool 1 minute, then coarsely chop.
• Drain artichoke hearts in a large sieve and rinse well. Pull off leaves from bases of hearts and quarter bases. Rinse leaves and bases well, then drain thoroughly.
• Stir together oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add orzo, pine nuts, artichokes (leaves and bases), parsley, and zest and toss to combine.